The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1887-03-05
EXECUTION OF A WOMAN.
Hanging of Mrs. Druse-RHistOry of the
crime for which She Suffered.

Mrs. Roxalana Druse was hanged in the
yard of the county Jail at Herkimer, N. T.,
on Monday, precisely at 11.4S A. NJ, for the
murder of her husband. VIM. Druse, on the
morning of the 18th of December, 1884. The
execution was witnessed only by % persons,
including the officials.
MAS. CRUISES CRIME.
William Druse, who was "a years old when
he was killed, lived on farm in the town
ship of Warren, in the southern part of Her
kimer county, N. Y. He married Roxalana
Tefft, November 81, 1864. They had three
children-Mary, the eldest, now under life
sentence in the 0nondaga penitentiary for
participation in the murder; Nellie, who was
half witted and who died at the age of ten,
and George. the youngest. Druse was man
of ungovernable temper, and made the lives
of his wife and children miserable. He fire.
quently choked and beat his wife, who, until
hardened by continued bad treatment, APP
pears to have been woman of not bad dis
position, and between her and the children
there was the warmest affection. Druse seems
to have had some popularity outside of his
home, as he was good companion for all
but his own family. The nearest neighbors
to the Druses were William Elwood, young
married man, who lived about half a mile to
the east, and Charles Gates, who lived about
half mile to the west of the Druse house.
Gates was married to Mrs. Druse's sister and
had two sons, Chester and Frank. Frank, the
youngest, occasionally came over to work for
the Druses, and was a witness to many of
Druse's outbreaks of temper. Both William
Elwood and Chester Gates were frequent WIS.,
itors at the Druse house, and there was scan
dial current about Elwood and Mrs. Druse.
On December Is, 1884, farmer driving past
the Druses' house noticed newspapers pinned
up to the front windows, and a nauseating
smoke coming from the parlor stove. A few
days later Druse was missed, and suspicion
was aroused. Explanations offered by Mrs.
Druse that her husband had gone to New
York quieted matters for while. The acct
dental discovery of blood stained axe caused
renewed inquiry and Frank Gates, being
pressed, confessed. He said he had staid at
Druise's house all night; that in the morning
Druse came into the kitchen in his usual ugly
temper He abused his wife and daughter
Mary, and continued his abuse at the break
fast table. During the quarrel Mrs. Druse
sent George, her son, and Frank Gates out
of the house. They went, and in few min
utes heard pistol shot. Returning to the
house, Mrs. Druse met them at the door,
pistol in hand, and placing the weapon in
| Franks hand, she commanded him to shoot
Druse, who was sitting in chair in the cor
ner, blood flowing from his neck, around
which was rope, at the end of which Mary
Druse was pulling Frank fred at Druse
until the pistol was empty. Mary Druse let
go the rope and tried to reload the pistol,
when Druse fell to the floor. Mrs. Druse
seized an axe and struck her husband on the
head, killing him. She then hacked the head
! from the body. A new axe, the one found
| with blood stains on it, was used to chop up
the body, which was burned in roaring FIRE
built in the parlor stove. The ashes were
collected from the stove next day, put in o
box and bag, and carried in cutter to a spot
where they were found. The entire Druse
family were arrested, with Charles Gates and
Frank Gates and VIM. Elwood. Charles
Gates and Elwood were discharged. Mrs.
Druse was tried and convicted and sentenced
to be hanged, and Mary pleaded guilty and
was sent to the penitentiary for life. Frank
Gates was not punished on account of his
age. Mrs. Druse has constantly asserted that
| her husband attacked her with knife before
she shot him. Gov. Hill was appealed 10 to
spare Mrs. Druse on account of her husband $
brutal treatment, but though he respited her
twice, he 4aelined to interfere with the death
sentsRte. 7 The Legislature was also appealed
&6ut refused to alter u n aw wsn NJ ns 10 eN
Selude women from the deatS Rena'V'